Crisis Intervention Techniques Flashcards

A person with TBI becomes agitated and starts throwing objects during a therapy session. What is the FIRST priority of the crisis responder?

Answer: Ensure the safety of all persons in the environment

Ensuring safety of all persons present is always the first priority before any other intervention.

Which communication technique is most effective when de-escalating a TBI survivor in a verbal crisis?

Answer: Using short, simple, calm sentences

Short, simple, calm sentences reduce cognitive load and help a person with TBI process information during emotional dysregulation.

During a crisis, a TBI survivor says, 'Nobody cares if I live or die.' How should the specialist respond?

Answer: Conduct a direct suicide risk assessment

Any statement suggesting suicidal ideation requires direct, immediate risk assessment to determine level of danger.

Which environmental modification best supports crisis prevention in a TBI rehabilitation setting?

Answer: Reducing visual clutter and overstimulation

Reducing sensory overstimulation decreases the likelihood of behavioral dysregulation in TBI survivors.

A TBI survivor with frontal lobe damage is unable to stop an aggressive verbal outburst. Which strategy is most appropriate?

Answer: Remove unnecessary bystanders and reduce stimulation

Frontal lobe injury impairs impulse control, so reducing stimulation and audience size limits escalation triggers.

What does the acronym 'SLAP' help assess in a suicidal crisis for a TBI survivor?

Answer: Severity, Lethality, Availability of means, Proximity of rescue

SLAP (Severity, Lethality, Availability, Proximity) is a structured tool for assessing immediate suicide risk.

Which of the following is a recognized behavioral warning sign that a TBI survivor may be approaching a crisis state?

Answer: Sudden withdrawal and refusal to communicate

Sudden withdrawal and refusal to engage are common early warning signs of an impending behavioral or emotional crisis in TBI survivors.